Collegiate varsity versus club sport: Comparison of student outcomes

ABSTRACT

Student engagement in collegiate sport consists of both student involvement and institutional support, which varies across varsity and club sport programs. Though greater engagement is found in varsity athletics, there is a need to examine whether the additional time and resources invested are maximizing student outcomes. Therefore, the current study sought to compare the perceived social, intellectual, and fitness benefits associated with varsity athletic and club sport participation at a large university in the United States. A multivariate analysis of variance demonstrated significantly greater perceived intellectual and fitness benefits associated with participation in varsity athletics in comparison to club sport, with a non-significant difference in perceived social benefits associated with participation in varsity and club sport programs. These findings support the return on investment in varsity athletics; however, invite reconsideration of institutional resource allocation given the comparable student outcomes associated with club sport.

KEYWORDS:

• Student engagement
• institutional support
• student outcomes
• varsity athletics
• club sport

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes on contributors

Leeann M. Lower-Hoppe, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Human Sciences at The Ohio State University. Her research examines sport programs as mechanisms for human development. Her overarching aim is to improve the design and delivery of sport programs to enhance the experience and holistic development of the participant.

Jeffrey C. Petersen, Ph.D., is a Professor of Sport Management in the Department of Educational Leadership at Baylor University. His research primarily focuses upon sport facility design, development, and management with an aim to improve individual and organizational performance.

Taylor A. Hutton, received a master's degree in Sport Administration from Ball State University. Her research interests include athlete leadership.